GREEN-FINGERED community and youth groups are rolling back their sleeves to help plant a new ‘Fruit Route’ linking Saddleworth to Oldham.
The unique ‘Sustainably Planted Food Resource’ path has been launched by Oldham Council to create a hub of healthy eating and exercise.
Running from Grotton through Springhead, Lees, Clarksfield and Glodwick to Alexandra Park, it will be planted with trees and bushes bearing fruits includingapples, pears, plums and cherries.
And, say council bosses, planting a wide variety of plants and fruit trees – some not native to the area – will help increase biodiversity and attract new wildlife.
Funding has been provided by the Bloom and Grow initiative and Oldham Community Health Service, with money also invested in making the path level and easier for walkers or cyclists to navigate.
And local community and youth groups have been invited to get hands on with the project by helping to plant apple trees, blackberry or raspberry canes and blackcurrant bushes.
The route, which will be maintained by the groups, will link to the Alexandra Park Hub, a specialist site for teaching people more about gardening and healthy eating.
It will also be used to train young people undertaking the horticulture ‘14-19 Diploma’ and other community groups in partnership with Oldham Community Health Service.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet Member for the Environment and Housing, said: “It’s a brilliant and innovative idea to combine healthy food, exercise and learning in such a visually appealing location.
“The Fruit Route will be a great place for schools, families and the whole community to enjoy and relax.
“This initiative shows our commitment to increasing the levels of healthy eating and active lifestyles. We know this will encourage more residents to do both in Saddleworth and Oldham.”
“What is particularly great about the Fruit Route is the interest and input we’ve had from the local community already. Everyone is doing their bit and everyone will be able to enjoy it.”
The project has been welcomed by visionary councillor Adrian Alexander and Andrew Sayers, a keen walker from Greenfield, who have been campaigning to restore old walkways to encourage new tourists to the area.
Cllr Alexander, who represents Saddleworth West and Lees, said: “This scheme will add another exciting dimension to the borough and encourage people to walk or ride any time of the year.
“The fruit trees will be an unusual and welcome gateway for tourists. The fact they could have apples or other fruit as they walked or cycled here adds to their experience.
“And when the Whit Friday band concerts take place, visitors could walk to the events at Grotton and Lees. It could be the real fruit of the loom.”
Andrew Sayers added: “The fruit route will be a great treat for Oldhamers and visitors.
“The fully-signposted fruit root will provide talking points for families to show children fresh food as they exercise.”
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